Things To Do

Duke Performances

Duke Performances is a performing arts organization dedicated to presenting the best of today's forward-thinking artists. Its programs include music, theater, dance and talks as well as artistic residencies. Duke Performances presents between 60 and 70 on-campus shows per year, usually on West Campus. Duke students can purchase tickets to any show for $10.

Recommended Attractions

Duke Lemur Center

The Duke Lemur Center was established in 1966 and today is the world’s largest sanctuary for rare and endangered prosimian primates. Nestled on 85 acres in Duke Forest, the Lemur Center houses about 250 animals, including 233 lemurs encompassing 15 species, along with lorises from India and Southeast Asia and bushbabies from Africa. Many Duke students get involved in research at the center.

Duke Forest

The Duke Forest comprises 7,060 acres of land in Durham, Orange and Alamance counties and has been managed for research and teaching purposes since 1931. Its mission is to facilitate research that addresses questions concerning forested and aquatic ecosystems and to help students become informed citizens and effective stewards of our natural resources. In addition to supporting education at Duke and other local universities, the Forest participates in outreach through tours and other events.

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens

The stunning, 55-acre Sarah P. Duke Gardens are located in the heart of West Campus (a two-minute walk from the Admissions Office) and are recognized as one of the finest public gardens in the country. Breathtaking and relaxing any time of year, the Gardens boast rose and iris gardens, an Asiatic arboretum, a wisteria pergola, and expansive lawns that are perfect for studying, reading, or simply sprawling on a blanket in the sun. Duke Gardens has been named one of the ten best public gardens in the U.S. and received a Horticulture Magazine Award for Garden Excellence.

Cameron Indoor Stadium and Hall of Fame

Many sports enthusiasts consider Cameron Indoor Stadium, built in 1940, a basketball shrine. The Blue Devils men's and women's basketball teams benefit from Cameron's intimate seating arrangements for 9,314 fans, including bleacher-style seats alongside the court reserved for students (who are widely known as the Cameron Crazies).

Duke Chapel

Duke Chapel, at the top of Chapel Drive on West Campus, is considered to be one of the last great examples of the Collegiate Gothic architectural style in the United States. Opened in 1932, it has a 210-foot tower, a 50-bell carillon, 77 stained glass windows, three pipe organs and seating for 1,600 people.

The Link

The Link is an interactive, collaborative teaching and learning space located in the basement of Perkins Library. Classrooms, seminar rooms, group study and a service desk are available during library business hours. The Link space is prioritized for academic use and equipment is available for loan to any Duke affiliate with a valid, current ID card.

Duke Smart Home

The Duke Smart Home was completed in 2006 and is a 6000-square-foot residence and live-in research laboratory for 10 undergraduates. Overseen by Duke‘s Pratt School of Engineering, the Smart Home provides hands-on engineering practice and helps test future residential building technology.

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Located on the edge of campus, the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club features a four-diamond hotel and restaurant, meeting and ballroom facilities. An expansion, completed in 2005, added 100 rooms, a conference center, a fitness center, a driving range and a new golf facility for the Duke men's and women's golf teams.

The Plaza

The 40,000-square-foot West Campus Plaza is located between the Bryan University Center and West Campus Union. Designed to accommodate various types and sizes of activities, the plaza features both fixed and moveable furniture, a main stage for the arts, as well as performance space, dining areas and small and large group gatherings. The plaza's primary function is to provide outdoor space for interactions.

Duke Farmer's Market

Duke Farmer's Market, located between the Bryan Research and Nanaline H. Duke buildings off Research Drive, features about a dozen local farmers and vendors selling a variety of fresh produce, healthy baked goods and more. The Duke Farmers Market is open every Friday until July 27 and every other Friday from Aug. 10 to Sept. 24. Learn more about at the Duke Farmers Market.

Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)

Specifically designed to present the biggest shows on tour, the 2,800-seat Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) puts audiences close to the stage. In recent months, DPAC has featured performers ranging from Aretha Franklin to Ira Glass, and touring Broadway musical productions such as Wicked and Jersey Boys.

Carolina Theatre

Brightleaf Square

Brightleaf Square features a unique mix of restaurants and shops in a pair of historic tobacco warehouses in downtown Durham. Stroll through the courtyard, shop, eat and drink for a perfect afternoon or evening.

American Tobacco Historic District

The American Tobacco Campus is located adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the Durham Performing Arts Center. The campus features an on-site YMCA, public green space, biking trails and five restaurants. American Tobacco is home to some of the most prominent businesses in the region, including the nationally recognized public broadcasting station, WUNC Radio.

Ninth Street

Ninth Street – Durham’s “college town” street. Here you’ll find an assortment of eateries, bars and merchants. Be sure to stop by The Regulator Bookshop and Vaguely Reminiscent when you’re in the area in addition to the many other independently owned stores.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The 10,000-seat Durham Bulls Athletic Park is home to the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The team became internationally famous in 1988, following the release of the movie Bull Durham.

American Dance Festival

Heralded as “One of the nation’s most important institutions” (New York Times), the American Dance Festival (ADF) has sustained a history of modern dance. Since 1934, ADF has remained committed to serving the needs of dance, dancers, choreographers and professionals in dance-related fields. Each summer, ADF holds a six and a half-week series of performances in Duke and Durham.